Strawberry plant named ‘MERIT’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘MERIT’. This new strawberry plant named ‘MERIT’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its small fruit size; orange red to red fruit color; uniformly shaped conical berries; and small sized plant.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragariaananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘MERIT’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry varietynamed ‘MERIT’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross madein 2001 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry varietydesignated ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597) andstrawberry variety designated ‘PS-4630’ (a non-patented selection). Dueto the combining of the reciprocal seed lots it is unknown as to whichparent variety is the seed parent and which parent variety is the pollenparent. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from acontrolled breeding plot in Ventura County, California in the fall of2003. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated bystolons in both San Joaquin County, California and Siskiyou County,California. The new variety was extensively tested over the next severalyears in fruiting fields in Ventura County, California. This propagationhas demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein ascharacterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘MERIT’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions ofthe central coast of California. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides theneeded humidity and moderate temperatures to produce a strong vigorousplant and maintain fruit quality during the fall production months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘MERIT’, which in combination distinguishthis strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Small fruit size;    -   2. Orange-red to red fruit color;    -   3. Uniformly shaped, conical berries;    -   4. Small sized plant;    -   5. Fruiting trusses that are visible above the foliage; and    -   6. Relatively short fruiting trusses

The strawberry varieties that are believed to be most closely related tothe new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’ are the strawberry variety ‘VALOR’(patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,394) and the strawberry variety‘PREMIER’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,309). In side-by-sidecomparisons to the similar strawberry varieties ‘VALOR’ and ‘PREMIER’,the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’ differs by the following combinationof characteristics as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP20,309)  1. Color of Ranges from Ranges Ranges   mature fruit orangefrom red to from red to red to red dark red dark red  2. Fruit sizeSmall Medium Medium  3. Marketable 503 529 393   yield (gm/plt)  4.Plant size Ranges Medium Medium from medium to small  5. Stolon WeakRanges Ranges   anthocyanin from weak from weak   intensity to medium tomedium  6. Stolon Weak Strong Medium   pubescence  7. Color of Mediumgreen Ranges Ranges   upper surface from medium from medium to darkgreen to dark green  8. Interveinal Ranges Medium Medium   leafblistering from medium to strong  9. Foliage gloss Medium Medium Rangesfrom medium to strong 10. Serrations/leaf 20.3 22.7 25.9 11. Petiolelength (cm) 14.2 17.4 15.5 12. Petiolule 11.9 17.8 11.8   length (mm)13. Terminal leaf Acute Obtuse Obtuse   shape of base 14. Fruiting 24.329.7 30.8   truss length   at maturity (cm) 15. Fruiting truss MediumRanges from Strong   pubescence medium to strong

For identification a series of molecular markers have been determinedfor this new variety.

‘MERIT’ differs from its parents, ‘PS-2880’ and ‘PS-4630’ by thefollowing combination of characteristics as described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 ‘PS-2880’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 15,597) ‘PS-4630’ 1.Fruit size Small Medium Large 3. Plant size Small Medium to large Mediumto large 4. Insertion of achenes Level with Above the Level with surfacesurface surface 5. Type of bearing Everbearing Everbearing June bearing

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance oftypical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’, at variousstages of development as true as it is reasonably possible with colorreproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightlyfrom the color value cited in the botanical descriptions whichaccurately describe the color of ‘MERIT’. The depicted plant and plantparts of the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’ are approximately 3 to 4months old. The photographs were taken in Ventura County, California:

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘MERIT’ taken inthe month of October 2009;

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical leaf structure of ‘MERIT’taken in the month of October 2009;

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘MERIT’ taken inthe month of October 2009;

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of mature fruit of ‘MERIT’ taken in themonth of November 2009;

FIG. 5 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristicsof ‘MERIT’ taken in the month of November 2009.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new variety ‘MERIT’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety ‘MERIT’may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors,including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), daylength, soil type and location. In addition, the characteristics of anyparental variety or comparison variety included in Tables 1-9 of thepresent invention may vary in detail, depending upon variations inenvironmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity andlight intensity), day length, soil type and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following descriptionof the new variety ‘MERIT’, unless otherwise noted, are based onobservations taken during the 2009 growing season in Ventura County,California. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of‘MERIT’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San Joaquin County,California during the month of January 2008 and planted approximately 6months later in Ventura County, California. The approximate age of theobserved plants is 3 to 4 months. Yield observations and fruit qualitycharacteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the2006 through 2009 growing seasons. Flower measurements andcharacteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruitcharacteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unlessotherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart, London (2007).

The following tables 3-9 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage,fruiting truss, flower and pest disease characteristics of the newstrawberry ‘MERIT’ in comparison to the similar strawberry variety‘VALOR’ and strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’.

TABLE 3 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS 'VALOR' 'PREMIER' Characteristic 'MERIT'(US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Color of RHS 34B RRHS 46A RHS 46A maturefruit Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from orange red red to red to tored dark red dark red Color of RHS 34C RHS 45A RHS 45A internal fleshOrange red Ranges from Ranges from medium to medium to dark red dark redFruit length (cm) 3.8 4.0 4.2 Fruit width (cm) 3.3 3.6 3.5 Fruit length/1.14 1.12 1.22 width ratio Slightly Slightly Slightly longer than longerthan longer than broad broad broad Calyx 3.8 4.1 4.6 diameter (cm)Average fruit 18.1 21.5 21.9 weight (gm) Achene color, RHS 160B RHS 160ARHS 160B shaded side Greyed Greyed Greyed yellow group yellow groupyellow group Achene color, RHS 184B RHS 183A RHS 183A sun exposed GreyedGreyed Greyed side purple group purple group purple group Achenes 324331 286 per berry Achene 0.50 0.50 0.60 weight (mg) Marketable fruit 503529 393 yield (gm/plt) Fruit Size Small Medium Medium PredominantConical Conical Conical fruit shape Difference Slight Ranges from Noneto in shapes slight to very slight between primary moderate andsecondary fruit Band without Absent or Absent or Absent or achenes verynarrow very narrow very narrow Unevenness Absent or Weak Absent or offruit surface very weak very weak Evenness of Even Even Ranges fromfruit color slightly uneven to even Fruit glossiness Ranges from Rangesfrom Ranges from medium to medium to medium to strong strong strongInsertion Level with Ranges from Level with of achenes surface levelwith surface to below the surface Insertion In the In the In the ofcalyx basin basin basin Attitude of Spreading Spreading Spreading thecalyx Size of calyx Slightly Slightly Much in relation to larger largerlarger fruit diameter Adherence Strong Strong Strong of calyx FirmnessMedium Strong Medium of fruit skin Firmness Firm Firm Medium of fruitflesh Keeping quality Very good Very good Good Distribution MarginalMarginal Marginal of red color and central and central and central ofthe flesh Hollow center Moderate Absent or Weak expression very weakFruit flavor Ranges from Good Good good to very good Soluble solids 8.87.8 8.3 (% brix) Time of Early Medium Medium first flowering Time ofEarly Medium Medium first harvesting Harvest period Late Late LateSeptember to September to September to mid December mid December midDecember Type of Everbearing Everbearing Everbearing bearing

TABLE 4 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’(US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Plant height (cm) 24.1 25.9 25.6 Plantspread (cm) 29.0 31.6 33.5 Plant size Ranges from medium Medium Mediumto small Plant habit Globose Globose Globose Plant density Medium MediumMedium Plant vigor Medium Medium Medium

TABLE 5 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’(US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Stolon color RHS 145A RHS 144A RHS 145AYellow Yellow Yellow green group green group green group Stolon RHS 180DRHS 180A RHS 181 B anthocyanin Greyed Greyed Greyed coloration red groupred group red group Stolon Weak Ranges Ranges anthocyanin from weak fromweak intensity to medium to medium Average stolon 2.4 6.4 8.5 number perplant from the fruiting field Stolon diameter 3.1 3.3 3.6 at bract (mm)Stolon Weak Strong Medium pubescence Attitude of hairs Upwards UpwardsUpwards

TABLE 6 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’(US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Foliage: Color of RHS 137A RHS N137B RHSN137B upper surface Medium Medium to Medium to green dark green darkgreen Color of RHS 147C RHS 147C RHS 147C underside Yellow Yellow Yellowgreen group green group green group Shape in Slightly Slightly Slightlycross section concave concave to flat to flat concave Interveinal Rangesfrom Medium Medium blistering medium to strong Leaf Medium Medium Rangesfrom glossiness medium to strong Number Three Three Three of leafletsTerminal Leaflet: Length (cm) 8.9 8.6 9.6 Width (cm) 7.6 8.7 8.6 Length/1.18 0.99 1.11 width ratio Longer As long Longer than broad as broadthan broad Serrations/leaf 20.3 22.7 25.9 Leaf size Ranges from MediumMedium medium to small Shape of base Acute Obtuse Obtuse Shape of teethObtuse Obtuse Obtuse Petiole: Petiole Color RHS 144A RHS 144A RHS 144AYellow Yellow Yellow green group green group green group Petiole 14.217.4 15.5 length (cm) Petiole 3.4 4.2 4.3 diameter (mm) Petiolule colorRHS 144A RHS 144A RHS 144A Yellow Yellow Yellow green group green groupgreen group Petiolule 11.9 17.8 11.8 length (mm) Petiole Moderate SparceSparce pubescence Attitude Strongly Strongly Strongly of hairs outwardoutward outward Stipule: Color RHS 146A RHS 146A RHS 146B Yellow YellowYellow green group green group green group Anthocyanin RHS 63A RHS 61ARHS 61A coloration Red purple Red purple Red purple group group groupAnthocyanin Weak Weak Medium intensity Length (mm) 22.2 21.3 24.8 Width(mm) 8.6 10.4 11.3

TABLE 7 FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Anthocyanin RHS 181D RHS 181C RHS181B coloration Greyed Greyed Greyed red group red group red groupAnthocyanin Absent or Absent or Medium intensity very weak very weakLength at 24.3 29.7 30.8 maturity (cm) Position Above the Level withRanges from relative foliage the foliage level with to to foliagebeneath the foliage Pubescence Medium Ranges from Strong medium tostrong Attitude at Prostrate Prostrate Prostrate first pick

TABLE 8 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’(US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Petal color RHS NN155C RHS NN155C RHSNN155C White White White Sepal color RHS 137A RHS 137A RHS 137A Greengroup Green group Green group Corolla 31.0 30.1 35.3 diameter (mm) Calyx29.8 31.2 33.9 diameter (mm) Petal 11.7 11.3 13.4 length (mm) Petal 12.011.1 12.7 width (mm) Petal length/ 0.98 1.02 1.05 width ratioPetals/flower 6.2 5.7 5.8 Sepal 11.0 10.5 12.3 length (mm) Sepal 3.2 4.75.8 width (mm) Sepal length/ 3.41 2.23 2.11 width ratio Sepals/flower11.8 11.4 11.6 Size of calyx Ranges from Larger Larger relative to samesize corolla to smaller Size of Smaller Smaller Smaller inner calyxrelative to outer calyx Relative Overlapping Ranges from Overlappingposition touching to of petals overlapping

TABLE 9 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Two spotted spider mite ModeratelyModerately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Flower thripsModerately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptiblePowdery mildew Moderately Susceptible Susceptible susceptible Botrytisfruit rot Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptiblesusceptible Angular leaf spot Moderately Moderately Susceptibleresistant susceptible

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Fragaria ananassa named‘MERIT’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics setforth above.